Fishing Connection Online September 2023

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Column Writers for this Issue

Page 6 Nik Bremer

Page 12 Spencer Brogden

Page 16

Capt. Jim Suber

Page 18

Capt. Tim Altman

Page 22

Capt. Todd Philcox

Page 24

Capt. John Eggers

Page 26

Capt. Cory Sparks

Page 32

Capt. Adam Morley

Page 34 Will Neiman

Page 40

Capt. Jeff Patterson

Page 42 Craig VanBrocklin

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Fernandina

Amelia Island

By Nik Bremer

The annual mullet run in Northeast Florida is a natural phenomenon where large schools of mullet migrate along the coast. This migration typically occurs in the month of September (maybe later this year with the heat wave we’ve encountered), driven by changing water temperatures and spawning instincts

The mullet run plays a vital role in the coastal ecosystem, providing a seasonal burst of energy and sustenance for various marine life, making it a key event in the region's natural cycle. Mullet move in vast numbers, attracting predator species like bull reds, acrobatic tarpon, heavy-hitting jacks, aggressive Bluefish, and a variety of sharks that feed on them.

This event creates exciting opportunities for anglers, as the predatory fish actively pursue the mullet schools

Get your cast net ready and head to the beach, Fort Clinch or the Nassau Sound. All of these spots should be a cakewalk for catching mullet. Casting from the shore, I find a 6ft. 3/8 Inch cast net is the most effective

They are on the lighter side, manageable to cast, and provide plenty of net to supply a day's worth of bait in just one toss. New to throwing a cast net?? Not a problem, we are happy to share our techniques with you over at Amelia Island Bait and Tackle.

If you prefer the comfort of learning at home, grab your new cast net and head to the backyard with your trusty smartphone and YouTube University There are 500 instructional videos with 30 different ways to load and throw your net. Pick the one that feels the most natural to you.

Fishing live mullet is the easiest. Rig up a fish finder with a 2/0-5/0 circle hook matched to the size of the bait you’ll be fishing. Weight will be based on the current, but I feel 3/4oz - 1 5oz is typically enough.

Cast up current allowing the bait

to drift downstream keeping the slack out of the line. When your mullet has made it downstream, slowly retrieve and recast outside of the mullet schools.

If you’re looking to fish artificial, pick yourself a durable plug or spoon to avoid the toothy critters tearing your gear up. I prefer a spoon because you could throw them a mile, Bluefish won’t destroy them in one bite and they could be presented in numerous retrievals

Gotcha Plugs, DOA Bait Busters, No Live Bait Needed Mullet, and Yo-Zuri Bull Poppers are all awesome choices.

Catch a calm early morning out there before the sun comes up with a top water plug and you’ll be talking about it for years. Questions? Come see us at Amelia Island Bait and Tackle Tight Lines to you our friends!

Blue Cypress Fishing Pier

Read Article by Capt. Jim Suber on Pages 16 and 17

Florida Yacht Club

Breakwater (fish Haven) on The St. Johns River.

Read Article by Capt. Jim Suber on Pages 16 and 17

Pier & Surf

By Spencer Brogden

As we have gone through the heat of July and August, September is always on my mind as it's the beginning of a stretch of great pier and surf fishing for a couple of months. The water temperatures still tend to be warm but by the end of September, we start to see a cooling pattern.

However, September is better known around Northeast Florida for the beginning of the mullet run along area beaches. In fact, at the time of this

writing, the mullet had already started to run the beach!

For the angler, this means Redfish, Flounder, speckled Trout, Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and tarpon. All of these fish will feed heavily on the mullet as they invade the surf. This time of year I never hit the beach without my cast net and my sand flea rake. Take advantage of the free bait! With that being said, I still like to target these fish early morning and late afternoon while the temperatures are still rather warm. The fish will come in shallow early and late to feed on the mullet which also moves shallow during these times.

I normally use a simple Carolina rig for the mullet and a number 4 wide bend hook with 20-25lb leader. I really try to stay away from wire leader as I don't get the same amount of bites as I do with fluorocarbon. Just be

prepared to lose some hooks when the Bluefish and Spanish are around.

Another thing I'll mention that I've mentioned before, if we have any type of tropical system move near the Carolinas we can probably expect an early Pompano run. This happened last year and we ended up having one of the best Pompano runs in Northeast Florida that I've seen in years. Don't forget to check out our Facebook group and YouTube page under the Brokenreel23 banner for daily and weekly surf fishing updates!

Until next month, tight lines!

Spencer Brogden

Our Waterways

By Capt. Jim Suber

COJ Waterways Coordinator

Dock Master

Division of Natural Marine Resources

Department of Parks

Recreation and Community Services

1410 Gator Bowl Blvd.

Jacksonville, Fl. 32202

Office (904) 630-0839

Cell (904)509-0588

Jsuber@coj.net

www.JaxParks.com

www.COJ.net

Greetings, FALL...Yes Fall! It is right around the corner. We have had near recordbreaking temperatures with close to and hitting the 100 degrees mark this summer and the water temps have been flirting (and catching a couple of days) with the 90’s.

With the nighttime temps close to cooling off the water temperatures will start to drop some. So, plan your trips accordingly for a fun fall!

The City of Jacksonville Continues to make improvements and several projects are seeing progress We have several FIND grants moving along Riverview Park's new boat ramp is ready for contractors to move ahead so watch for groundbreaking, Liberty Street Marina is in design and permits, and Pottsburg Creek/ Beach Blvd design and permits to rebuild. Preliminary engineering and design drawings have been submitted.

The city staff and I have sent back for

a couple of tweaks and questions so it should be ready to finalize soon.

Mike McCue Boat Ramp Bulkhead replacement design has been submitted for the City of Jacksonville review and impressively moving well Thomas Creek Fish Camp Adaptive Kayak launch is in design and permits and plans are getting close.

. The City of Jacksonville is submitting grant requests to the Florida Inland Navigation District for the design of dredge needs in the downtown area, the design of extending the floating dock system at Jim King Park and Boat Ramp, St. Johns Boat Ramp Boardwalk, and the replacement of the Oak Harbor Bulkhead. We have completed the dredge project of Goodby’ Creek.

The contractor is doing some cleanup and we need to replace the #5 channel marker

The Blue Cypress Fishing Pier in Arlington has been closed and access has been removed. After a piling inspection, there were several pilings in unsafe condition A rebuild is in process

A new city ordinance has been approved by the city council to develop an anchoring restriction zone in the Ortega River This will require vessels to leave the area after 45 days on anchor. New signage for enforcement is being installed by the contractor.

Jacksonville Marine Charities met and approved their 2024 Officers for the Board of Directors. I was fortunate to serve as Chair for 10 years and the new set of Officers are looking forward to moving forward. Steve Thompson will serve as the new Chairman of the Board

Steve has served as a board member for several years and is an avid Kingfish Tournament Angler along with his wife Rhonda. Bob Brindle will continue to serve as Vice Chair and his knowledge and love of the tournaments and charities will continue to serve the program well with the support of his wife Nettie

who is also a part of the GJKT volunteer family. Inez Higginbotham will continue as Secretary. Inez has been involved in the GJKT and Kingfish tournament fishing for several years with her children involved and now she has her grandchildren volunteering with the support of her Husband Glenn, an Offshore fishing legend!

. Rita Contos will continue as Treasurer Rita has also been a longtime tournament volunteer and board member. Even with brand new great-grandchildren, she will continue to devote time and knowledge to the Board and organization Congratulations to all! fishing legend! The JMC Board of Directors hit the ground full speed ahead and dove deep to update the GJKT Tournament week So, here’s what They are planning for next year

They are having a weeklong event starting on Saturday, July 13th…..where they will have the JMC KINGFISH KICK OFF, which will be a Beach Tournament with North / South and 3-mile east boundaries But there is MORE! This tourney will have a cash prize of $20,000 for first place starting out with a twenty place payout This is based on 300 boats entering So, the more boats the better the payout because they are paying back 85 to 90%

THEN… On the following Friday they will be having the normal GJKT with no East boundary!! Pretty much as it was this year, with a few, very few tweaks here and there. In between They will still have the Jr. Angler tournament on Wednesday, AND NEXT YEAR, they will have the Kids awards on THURSDAY right before the general captains meeting.

This will give the Jr. Anglers their own special day of awards and will help in not..

making the Saturday awards so long. This will answer the desire for a beach tournament, two-day tournament and more chances to win! Also, if you sign up for both tournaments there is a $75dollar discount on the GJKT side so not to take away from the KINGFISH KICK OFF pay out! GJKT will continue to be a big fish and aggregate winning tournament with a top prize a boat There will be more discussion of joining the two tournaments together without changing the basis of the 44-year-old tournament. The anglers have expressed their opinion and suggestions so I would stay tuned! The derelict vessel war is still full speed ahead all over our waterways. More are piling up and the process and funding is working really slow. FWCC has removed five and a boat owner moved another The Ortega River is getting new signage to support the new City of Jacksonville Anchoring restrictions ordinance. This will require any anchored vessel move from anchor after 45 days I want to continue to remind all, on the east end of the Back River behind Blount Island we have a sand bar developing. It is on the Ramoth Drive side of the river. A solution to this concern is being worked on The Jacksonville Waterways

Commission continues to have a committee to address this issue and discussions continue with The Army Corp of Engineers and a source of the sand is being explored. The Waterways Commission has submitted legislation to fund warning buoys for the area as well pursuing a funding source to study a cause and solution Please use caution and a look out anytime you are underway especially when up on plane in your boat, debris items are just under the surface and seeing them can be difficult Day time always use good, polarized sunglasses and at night slow down and double your caution and lookout. The Jacksonville Waterways Commission will start meetings for the new city council year this month with a new chair as well as new city council member representation As always allow me to continue to remind everyone to always check your boat and yourself. Use of a lookout and being aware of your surroundings are always a priority Invest in a QUALITY EPERB, file a float plan with someone that will miss you first so if things don’t go as planned, the search for you can be narrowed and recovery can be quicker. Take a safe boating course and do your part to

activate our waterways! The Jacksonville Sail and Power Squadron, America’s Boating Club, continuously offers America’s Safe Boating Course at Lamb’s Yacht Center and classes have resumed monthly. Check their web site for classes through 2023. The cost of the classes to the student will continue to be reduced to an affordable rate thanks to a donation from Jacksonville Marine Charities from proceeds from the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament. The next class and all future classes will be announced on the America’s Boating Club web site at www usps org/localusps/Jackson JSPS continue to do vessel inspections so you can contact an inspector at the same web site or reach out to me and I will assist getting you with an examiner Finally, show pride in the facilities provided for your use with your tax dollars by properly disposing of your byproducts when you clean your fish and dispose of your trash appropriately!

BE SAFE!

Capt. Jim Suber

Let’s Talk Offshore Fishing With Capt. Tim Altman

The Live Bait Situation! Pogies have been scarce from the Saint Mary’s inlet to the Saint Augustine Inlet for almost the entire month of August Cumberland Sound in and just south of the Saint Augustine have been holding lots of Pogies. There has been lots of speculation why out of Mayport it is hit or miss (mostly miss) with Pogies, but I believe it may be because of rain we’ve had in late July and August, but I’m not a scientist

Regardless how do you get live bait for live bait out of Mayport and where? Well the answer is the tip of the North Jetties between the rocks and the first red buoy. You must prepare by rigging Sabiki Rigs on small spinners and have your crew (preferably more than one person) ready to pitch into the schools of Threadfin as you mark them on your sounder. You should be able to load your live well within 25 minutes. Remember if you aren’t using a trolling motor to hold you in the current, to have someone on the helm to keep you on the bait and off the rocks. Live bait is

the key to catching good fish!

Sailfish

In early September Sailfish inhabit the Near-Shore wrecks and known Kingfish Haunts.

The “Southeast Hole” along with the “MR”, “RL” and “Jax Wreck” have all produced sailfish over the first 3 weeks of August. Take your time, jig some bait and give sail fishing a shot.

Hoodoo Sportfishing Charters will be moving our charter operations up to Fernandina Beach at the Amelia Island Marina.

The Fort George Island Marina in Jacksonville has been our home for the last 10 years has been sold to Yamaha Outboards.

In mid-August were notified by Fort George Island Marina's Management Company that the property has been sold and we will need to vacate in 14 days. Because the Saltwater Challenge (36ft Contender w/trip 300s) cannot be lifted and dry stacked locally and at Hoodoo Sportfishing we do not want to run a Boat Ramp Charter Business off of the trailer we were forced to seek other accommodations.

As of September 1st, Hoodoo Sportfishing Charters will be relocating to the Amelia Island Marina in Fernandina Beach, Fl. This is a full-service marina with a restaurant, 24/7 showers and bathrooms. Most importantly it remains in the vision and commitment we have to provide a complete top-notch fishing experience.

If you still want to leave from Jacksonville, contact us and we can work something out to leave

from the Sister’s Creek Boat Ramp on Heckscher Drive or the Mayport Boat Ramp.

Take a kid fishing!

Folks bait may be tough to find, Kingfish might be tough to find…but schools of Bonita busting the surface on Rain Minnows are not tough to find at all.

They have been off of the NassauSound and the offshore areas just south of the Jacksonville Pier since late May While we in Florida don’t particularly like to eat them, they are a great fish to let kids fight on light-tackle!

They are also when cut into chunks great to use for bottom fishing bait. Chunked Bonita was my primary bait for all of my Red Snapper Opening Charters. For how and what to use to catch these fish, visit Strike-Zone Fishing Jacksonville and ask Mr. Dave Workman Jr or his friendly staff.

Until next month, please stay safe on the water and remember that great things happen when you take a kid fishing.

Capt. Tim Altman

A great 11-hour charter on the Saltwater Challenge with live-bait.

Captain Chris Altman releasing an August Hoodoo Sailfish

CHECK OUT our new website at www.hoodoocharters.com

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Intracoastal Waterway

By Capt. Todd Philcox

September is a great month to fish in Jacksonville’s inshore waters. Our mullet run will begin this month as millions of our most predominate forage fish begin to form larger schools and head out of inshore waters toward our ocean inlets to migrate south.

This enormous quantity of bait will have every species large enough to eat a mullet fired up and feeding actively this month through October

There are opportunities to target many different species in a variety of different conditions, from Redfish, Flounder, and Trout on shallow mud flats and Intracoastal drop-offs, to bull reds along the St. Johns

riverbanks and the jetties, where you will also find tarpon, jacks and sharks. Make sure you bring along a cast net for the next two months to secure a good supply of mullet and fish them live or as cut bait either on a jig head or a fish finder rig

Work the flats and weed edges at high tide and the Intracoastal banks and drop-offs on lower tides. With such large quantities of bait present and water temperatures still quite high I find it more productive to fish larger baits and let them sit this time of year.

I will also fish cut mullet more often as the increased smell makes those baits easier for a lethargic Redfish to find. Flounder action will pick up along the docks and other structures along the St Johns River, I fish live mullet and shrimp on a 3/8-ounce jig head, slowly bouncing those baits along the bottom. The Trout bite improved in August and should remain decent with the mullet run in full swing.

Action for the bull reds will begin at the jetties and move up the river to the Dames Point bridge as the month progresses, fish the drop-offs from 35-45 feet deep with cut crab, mullet, or ladyfish on a circle hook and use ample weight to hold the bottom The scene at the big jetties at the

mouth of the St Johns River will be quite a spectacle as the mullet schools pour out of the inlet and are consistently harassed and blown up by large jack crevalle and tarpon, hanging below the topwater action will be bull reds and a variety of sharks. Free line larger live mullet, or fish them under a float, and be sure to also fish a line or two on the bottom with live or cut mullet. All the species mentioned above will be feeding up and down the water column at different depths. Give me a call if I can help you get out fishing and enjoy one of our best months on the water!

The Zimmer Brothers Hookin’ Up

St. Johns River & Intracoastal Waterway

By Capt. John Eggers

A Lot of things are happening, fish-wise, in September, and what a great time to be out fishing. Water temps from this summer have been as hot as I can remember them ever being

I consistently showed the upper 80s and low to mid-90s in some of the backwater creeks and flats.I concentrated most of my charters in the ICW and river in deeper water but

things are getting back to normal this month. With the water temps a little cooler and more Northeast winds blowing in the ocean water the fish will become more aggressive. That in combination with an influx of bait makes for a great recipe to catch fish. Finger mullet start arriving from the ocean into the back water at about the same time the shrimp start flushing out to the ocean. Redfish will be gorging themselves in the shallows and finally starting to school again. This is a great time to use artificial lures like top water, twitch baits, and fish-bite soft plastics.

Bull reds in the river are always fun to test your tackle and will be thick in 40 feet of water all the way through November. Speckle Trout schools will be just about everywhere from the jetties to downtown Look for diving birds on the incoming tides and you will find the Trout.

Mixed in will be always fun to catch 5 to 10-lb jacks. They will eat about anything you can get in front of them and are amazing to catch on the fly rod Tons of big ladyfish are here and are a blast to battle. Flounder fishing is awesome this month. Spinner baits and white fish bite paddle tails on a jig head are my go-

to when targeting them but live shrimp, mud minnows, and finger mullet are just as deadly. Mangrove Snapper are stacked on most shell bars and rock piles with the larger ones generally in the 10 to 15 feet of depth

Dead or live shrimp work well but I find live mud minnows will do just fine. For the fly guys, September starts off the big flood tide season for tailing reds on the flats I usually use the big motor by idling through the small creeks and stopping from time to time and glass the flats looking for the tailing fish.

Once located, find the easiest and closest path to the fish, slip out onto a flat, and quietly wade to fish until you're close enough to make a cast. Be very careful this time of year to not have any open wounds that will be exposed to the water due to the flesh-eating bacteria that may be in the water. Good luck and tight lines!

904-591-1611

Capt. John Eggers

Lindsay from Nashville Tennessee

Dan Gimble from Atlantic Beach

Palm Valley

By Capt. Cory Sparks

With each passing blast of Northeast wind, more and more mullet will be heading our way This transition to a Fall pattern is my favorite time of year!

As mullet becomes more prevalent, focus your efforts where you see them Predators will be following closely behind Look for schools of Redfish to be cruising and busting baits along the main channels of the

ICW. Learning to identify Redfish vs. big mullet or other bait is a great skill to acquire.

When you see the "V's" pushing down the banks start to plan your approach. Getting well ahead of these fish is key and if you go at them while making noise or disturbances in the water they will spook and blow out Artificials, topwater's, popping corks, or baits on the bottom will all get hit when they are landed well ahead of pushing fish and are seen in a natural manner by the fish swimming to them.

You can also begin watching for flood tides to stalk red bass on the grass flats. This is an addiction like deer hunting when you see the "flags" waving and you sight fish in kneedeep water Fly fishing is a great way to target red and black Black Black Drum on the grass flats.

You will also come across some sheepshead in the same areas. If a spinning real is your preference, rig soft plastics on weedless hooks One bait I love is the Zoom Salty Super Fluke 5" jerk bait in an Arkansas

shiner, baby bass, or any other green color.

Black Drum should increase in numbers and size this month and live or fresh dead shrimp tipped with Fishbites EZ strips will get them to bite. Fish structure with shells and moving water over it.

Bounce 1/4 oz. jigs down with the current and when you feel the subtle taps followed by rod tip pressure then set the hook. That Black Drum just ate it!

Flounder and Trout will lie in wait in moving water and funnels with bait being flushed through A flat that has mullet pouring off it and crossing subtle or steep drops in depth are great ambush places where these fish will be waiting for easy meals to be brought to them

Get out there and catch them this month! Changes are slowly coming, and the bite will be heating up!

Keep Reeling

Capt. Cory Sparks

Landon with his first Trout... 26"

Thanakorn with his first Redfish

Michelle with her first Black Black Drum

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Bull Redfish Run

By Capt. Adam Morley

As a passionate angler, there's nothing quite like the excitement of the annual Bull Redfish Run in Matanzas Inlet. This breathtaking phenomenon marks a time of year when Redfish surge through the waters, offering anglers an opportunity to test their skills and reel in some impressive catches. Whether you're stationed on the bridge, casting from the shoreline, or navigating the waters by boat, the Bull Redfish Run promises exhilarating experiences for all fishing enthusiasts.

1. Bridge Angling: One of the most iconic ways to participate in the Bull Redfish Run is by positioning yourself on the bridge that spans the Matanzas Inlet. This vantage point allows you to drop your line into the depths below, where schools of Redfish are known to congregate Using live blue crabs as bait is a favored tactic among bridge anglers, luring in these powerful fighters with irresistible scent and movement.

2. Shoreline Strategy: For those who prefer terra firma, the shores of Matanzas Inlet provide ample opportunities to engage in the Redfish action. Casting from the shore requires careful consideration of tides and currents, ensuring that your bait is delivered to where the Redfish are lurking. Large finger mullet cut chunks of ladyfish, and

Fishbite's blue crab scent are effective alternatives to live bait, drawing in the curious Redfish looking for a hearty meal.

3. Boat Adventures: Taking to the waters on a boat opens up a realm of possibilities during the Bull Redfish Run. A standout technique that has proven successful is using a large swim bait jigged along the bottom. This unconventional method yielded remarkable results for me and my son, as we hooked a whopping 36" Redfish. This approach adds a layer of excitement to the experience, showcasing the versatility of strategies in angling

As the Redfish frenzy unfolds in Matanzas Inlet, it's worth noting that other prized catches also make their appearances. Mangrove Snapper, flaunting their size and numbers, offer additional excitement for anglers. Alongside them, Flounder showcases their impressive camouflage skills, challenging anglers to spot and secure these elusive flatfish

Venturing into the narrower waters of the Matanzas River reveals an equally thrilling scene. The slot Redfish remain voracious, readily pouncing on a variety of baits Experimentation is key in these shallower areas, as the Redfish's appetite often leads them to indulge in a range of offerings. Topwater lures come into play during higher tides, creating explosive surface strikes that are a sight to behold. The strategy of moving around productive spots, such as grass lines and points, is a dynamic approach that keeps the angler engaged and eager for the next strike

For those familiar with the terrain or equipped with advanced technology like Simrad's satellite view, targeting submerged oyster bars and the troughs around them adds an extra layer of challenge and reward The heat of September doesn't deter dedicated anglers, and the allure of nighttime fishing becomes

irresistible Bridge lights and shadow lines become the backdrop for captivating battles with tarpon, snook, and Trout. The magic of the night extends to dock lights, where Flounder and Trout lurk, waiting for the perfect presentation

In the realm of angling, the Bull Redfish Run in Matanzas Inlet is a phenomenon that brings together excitement, skill, and a deep connection to nature Whether you're casting from a bridge, shoreline, or boat, this annual event offers a chance to create lasting memories, share stories, and revel in the thrill of the chase So gear up, prepare your bait, and get ready to be a part of this unforgettable adventure in Florida's stunning waters.

904-907-5742

Sept. 2023

Capt. Adam Morley

Kayak Fishin’

By Will Neimann

Although it’s right smack in the middle of hurricane season, September is a welcomed month in Northeast Florida. Aside from the slightly cooler temperatures, the mullet run and the flood tides coincide We will generally have two or three weeks of good flood tides during September. The full moon is the best, but we’ll also flood on the new moon. What’s the flood tide? A flood tide is a tide that is higher than a normal high tide I generally think anything over 5 4 feet is a good flood tide. When this occurs, the Redfish will be in the grass, in big schools. You will see tails everywhere if you are in the right spot Not only will there be reds in the grasses, but Trout, snook, Flounder, and tarpon could potentially be in or around the grasses as well.

If you’ve spent any time at all on the

water in our area, then you know, we have miles and miles of grass line. Most every creek, most every bank line, and most every flat have grasses along the bank which can make flood tide fishing a little daunting Where do I begin? I will use Google Earth and look for grasses with bare pockets mixed in. I like to focus on the bare pockets or sparse grass. For one, it’s easier to see the fish and make a good cast, than in super thick stuff. Even if I don’t see a fish in a pocket, I’ll still make a few casts into it, as they may be sitting in the grass waiting for an unexpected victim to swim by If I come up on a pocket that has fish in it, I try to position myself where I have the sun at my back, and where I can cast beyond the fish and bring my bait back through them. Or if the school of fish is pushing, getting my bait in their path, ahead of the lead fish is what I’ll try to do. Long, accurate casts are key. You don’t want your shadow running across the fish, you don’t want to cast in the middle or behind the fish, and you don’t want to get snagged in the grass.

I’ll generally run three rods when I fish the floods. One will have a topwater plug, either a Storm Chug Bug or a Rapala Skitterwalk Because, let me tell you, there’s nothing better than a shallow water topwater take. That’s as exciting as it gets. Another will have a 1/16 or 1/8

oz screwlock 3/0 hook With a screw lock, I can rig a paddle tail or jerk bait weedless and run it through the grass. Having at least one weedless option is a necessity and is probably the most effective option The third rod will have a small bucktail jig tied on. Pink, white, chartreuse or a combo of those colors are my favorites. If you can find a weedless bucktail, that’s an even better option, but a normal style will work fine for most scenarios. You’ll just have to make casts into areas without thick grass. This year, I may even bring a buzz bait out to see how they react we’ll see

Fishing the flood tide sometimes requires a little more patience and always a little more work, pushing through the grasses. But it is worth every extra second it takes when everything lines up and you’re hooked into a 40” red in 6” of water. If you’re a fly fisherman, this is what you dream about. Good luck and tight lines. I’ll see ya out there.

Plenty of Trout around on the flood tide

Louie with his first kayak Black Drum

September 2023

Daytona Ormond Beach

By Capt. Jeff Patterson

This is the best time of year for inshore fishing all through the Intracoastal, around the inlet, and off the beach.

The fall mullet run should be coming any day now. I’ve already started seeing a lot more action and more consistent fishing in the river on recent trips We get a good variety of

fish in September but the main focus is Redfish, snook, and tarpon for me. I’ve been fishing around docks and mangroves between Daytona and Ponce having a ton of action.

I’ve been using all different kinds of baits; live shrimp, finger mullet, pigfish, and croakers. Although I mentioned mainly targeting those three species I’ve been catching quite a variety of others recently including big jacks, Flounder, huge Bluefish, and Mangrove Snapper.

I had an awesome trip the other day with more action in one trip than I’ve seen in a very long time. No exaggeration when I pulled up to the first spot up against some mangroves right at the beginning of incoming tide, you’re bait lasted 3 seconds at the most before a bite.

For an hour and a half, we caught a bunch of snook, jacks, blues, mangroves, Redfish, Flounder, and nice seaTrout. We also had about a 6foot bull shark eat a nice snook right next to the boat not long after we got there and it didn’t affect the fishing one bit It was as good as it gets

Now that summer is over the weekdays are nice and quiet on the water. Being that it’s still hot out the weekends are still very busy.

I always encourage my clients to try and make a trip during the mullet run which usually runs from late August through at least October because the fishing is so awesome and consistent. At times there will be a pack of boats around the inlet and multiple boats will hook up with fish sometimes getting triple and quadruple hookups on Redfish.

If you’re there at the right time it’s quite a site to see a huge school of mullet getting slammed by tarpon, Redfish, snook, and jacks Now is the time to get on the water! Call me to book a trip!

Chris Anderson from Orlando with a 35” Snook

Eric Poulos with a 28” 8lb Door Mat

Don Schnitzler with a 100lb class Tarpon off the Beach

Tournament Board

By Craig VanBrocklin

Summer Tournaments

Palms Snapper Slapper

1st Louis Joseph 21.40

2nd Troy Carver 21.02

3rd Brett Cannon

4th Carl Rothman 19.74

5th George Koller 19.48

Ladies

1st Mia Harrington 18359

2nd Vanessa Yakimchuk 16.87

3rd Tayler Worthington 16.67

4th Clare Thomas 16.33

5th Kendall Lang 15.68

Junior

1st Louie Joseph 20.99

2nd Brenton Nutty 17.34

3rd Brody Rose 17.20

4th Colten 15.56

5th Drew Haydu 15.37

Military

1st Forrest Heeter 12.53

2nd Andy Hogan 11.321

3rd Thurman 6.93

First Responder

1st Steve Collins 17.01

2nd Darrell Thomas 15.22

3rd Glen Karst 11.34

Oh Snap!

1st Louis Joseph 21.64

2nd Troy Carver 20.68

3rd Danny Patrick 20.42

4th Kyle Binninger 20.04

5th Jonathan Moran 19.94

Ladies

1st Melissa Russell 18.04

2nd Vanessa Yakimchuk 17.20

3rd Kendall Lang 16.44

4th Tasha Robert 14.92

5th Meghan Traylor 14.62

Jr Angler

1st Louie Joseph 21.42

2nd Brendan Nutty 18.16

3rd Matthew Merritt 16.66

4th Grayson Russell 13.64

5th Maelyn Traylor 13.16

North

Junior

1st Grayson Strickland 39.15

2nd Logan Barns 35.16

3rd Kaydn Wolters 33.2

Fernandina Beach Fishing

1st Taking the Bait 47.72 2nd Seacurity 38.40 3rd Reel Asset 38.08

Lady Angler 1st Ole Misskeeter 34.70 2nd Streaker 30.58

Upcoming Tournaments

September

* 2nd FLA

* 16th HOW Online begins

* 23rd Anglers for a Cure kayaks/boats (Vilano)

* 30th Cowford Redfish

October

* 7th Full of Bull

* Netti Kayak Challenge

* Young Life Slam

* 14th Flounder Pounder

* Pink up the Spots Vilano

* 21st AIGA Inshore Fernandina

North Florida King of the Beach Ladies winner Christina Strickland

Oh Snap! and Palms Snapper Slapper winner Louis Joseph